MATCH RECAP: June 19, 2004 - vs. St. Louis Perfectos
Mains Enjoy Thrilling Matches With The Perfectos
Trenton’s vintage base ball team, the Mains, traveled to Lafayette Park in St. Louis on Saturday June 19. The Main’s worthy opponent was St. Louis’ first and most experienced club, the Perfectos. The Mains overcame slow starts in both games of the match in order to post two victories.
Lafayette Park in St. Louis is, according to historians, the site of the first St. Louis ball games played in the early 1850’s. It is thought a man named Jere Frain organized the first game of ball played in St. Louis. Mr. Frain laid out the diamond in Lafayette Park and showed the game of base ball' to the locals. The Perfectos, formed in 2002 by Matt “Five-Finger” Philip, make Lafayette Park their home turf.
In the first match of the day the Mains seemed a bit confused by the 1860 rules which were in force for the day. In their only other match the Mains played by the rules of 1858, so there was some learning to do.
The Mains got down early but chipped away at their opponents who held a lead throughout the game. Then with a late flourish, the Mains scored 5 aces in their last at bat to take a 14-12 lead, which they held onto in the bottom half of the inning to secure the victory. All the Mains contributed offensively and the defensive highlight was the barehanded stop of a smoking line drive by the Mains third tender Miles “Moonlight” Bateman. Moonlight’s brave effort drew oohs and ahs from the cranks (fans) and after the inning ended Bateman concluded, “that one stung a bit”.
In the second match, the Perfectos fielded a completely new and fresh nine, while the Mains carried on with the same tired group from the first match. The Perfecto’s new nine jumped out in front in large part to a couple of very long home runs from their rover (shortstop). Home runs are rare in the vintage game so two by the same fellow was rare indeed. Huzzah to him! But as was heard from the Perfectos bench, “there is no quitin’ in these Trenton boys” and indeed the Mains did some scoring of their own. When it was all said and done, the Mains had come from behind again to win 11-10.
It was a tired group of Mains that headed back to Trenton after a post-match meal with the Perfectos and gathered friends and family. The Lafayette Park setting is considered one of the finest for vintage games and everyone in attendance seemed to agree. Owning a record for the season of 3 wins and 1 loss, the Mains are getting noticed in vintage circles. According to St. Louis Unions Captain Brian Ricochet Robison who was in attendance, the upstart Mains are “force to be reckoned with”.
The Mains next match is July 11 in Germantown IL, against the St. Louis Unions. It will be a nine inning game immediately following the CCL All-Star game. The Mains are still looking to add additional players. Candidates that are able to run, who tire less quickly, and those that may be less prone to injury will be welcomed!